What is PowerTrick? How to remove PowerTrick Trojan from your PC or Mac?
The PowerTrick Trojan is a backdoor that is deployed by the TrickBot Trojan which aims to hijack sensitive information, manipulate infected computers and be used for various crimes. An active attack campaign is being directed against high-profile targets. It is a PowerShell-based threat which will launch many different components upon infection .Read our article to learn what the PowerTrick Trojan is capable of and to read instructions on safely removing active infection.
Threat Summary
| Name | PowerTrick Trojan |
| Type | Trojan Malware |
| Short Description | A very dangerous backdoor Trojan capable of overtaking control of the machines. |
| Symptoms | The victims may notice performance issues and can get infected with other malware. |
| Distribution Method | TrickBot infection campaigns. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss PowerTrick Trojan. |
PowerTrick Trojan is a new backdoor release that is dropped by the infamous TrickBot malware. During the onset of this campaign the security analysts believe that the group behind is believed to be based in Russia. The current attack campaign in which the PowerTrick Trojan is being sent appears to target primarily high-profile companies. TrickBot is one of the most popular weapon used against whole computer networks as it has been updated over the years with newer functionality every time. It is designed to infiltrate networks using custom settings that are designed to overcome the security barriers of the end targets.
The PowerTrick Trojan as the latest threat is dropped via the TrickBot infiltrations — they are usually done via social engineering techniques or direct vulnerability exploitation. This can vary between the attacks and will usually depend on the exact type of intended targets. By the name of the threat PowerTrick is a Powershell backdoor which will run a series of malicious tasks as soon as it is deployed on the system. It is designed to start the commands and then report back the result to the criminals in encoded form.
Thanks to the available analysis of the captured sample we can give further details on how the PowerTrick Trojan works. The first action will be to run a larger backdoor release, this step is known as the “first stage deployment”. This larger main module will start the hacker commands and run the related modules. Like other popular threats it includes a data harvesting component which is capable of hijacking data about the users themselves and their computers. This is particularly dangerous as it can be used for other crimes as well — blackmail, financial abuse and identity theft. The stolen data will be used to generate an unique ID associated with every computer.
The PowerTrick Trojan will then execute the hacker-issued commands — they can range from different operating system changes to data manipulation.
The PowerTrick Trojan also includes compatibility modules showing that the hackers may have used the Metasploit hacking toolkit. This is one of the most popular solutions used for breaking into systems — it is loaded with exploits that correspond to weaknesses in the target networks.
The security analysts also detect the integration of a cleanup operation which is capable of removing identification strings that are related to the malicious code. This is done in order to hide the presence of the threat from administrators.
PowerTrick Trojan-infected machines will also create scheduled tasks in the system by creating new entries in the Windows Registry. This makes it very hard to remove active infections. By allowing the hackers to remote control the systems a lot of dangerous consequences will take place. The hackers will be able to hijack files, stop running applications and also install other malware.
How to Remove PowerTrick Trojan
In order to fully remove PowerTrick from your computer system, we recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. If the first two manual removal steps do not seem to work and you still see PowerTrick or programs, related to it, we suggest what most security experts advise – to download and run a scan of your computer with a reputable anti-malware program. Downloading this software will not only save you some time, but will remove all of PowerTrick files and programs related to it and will protect your computer against such intrusive apps and malware in the future.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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Preparation before removing PowerTrick Trojan.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
- Scan for Malware
- Fix Registries
- Remove Virus Files
Step 1: Scan for PowerTrick Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by PowerTrick Trojan on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by PowerTrick Trojan there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Step 3: Find virus files created by PowerTrick Trojan on your PC.
1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.
2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
PowerTrick Trojan FAQ
What Does PowerTrick Trojan Trojan Do?
The PowerTrick Trojan Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.
Can Trojans Steal Passwords?
Yes, Trojans, like PowerTrick Trojan, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.
Can PowerTrick Trojan Trojan Hide Itself?
Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.
Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?
Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind that there are more sophisticated Trojans that leave backdoors and reinfect even after a factory reset.
Can PowerTrick Trojan Trojan Infect WiFi?
Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.
Can Trojans Be Deleted?
Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.
Can Trojans Steal Files?
Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.
Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?
Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.
Can Trojans Infect USB?
Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.
About the PowerTrick Trojan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this PowerTrick Trojan how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.
How did we conduct the research on PowerTrick Trojan?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)
Furthermore, the research behind the PowerTrick Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.